CLEMSON — In a celebratory announcement, Clemson University President James F. Barker said the school has surpassed its six-year capital campaign goal of $600 million and is now aiming for $1 billion.

Barker said the total amount donated to the most successful capital campaign in the university’s history was $608,839,594 as of June 30. The Will to Lead: A Campaign for Clemson supports students and faculty by providing scholarships, fellowships, professorships and enhanced learning and research opportunities with top facilities and technology.

To date, 357 new scholarships and fellowships have been created; 95 faculty positions and support, such as endowed chairs and professorships, have received funding; and numerous academic and athletic facilities are planned, under renovation or have been built. There were more than 201,000 unique gifts to the campaign.

“Like our founder Thomas Green Clemson, who gave us the will to lead so many years ago, the human effort put forth during the last six years shows a fierce determination to improve education and prosperity for all South Carolinians and people around the world,” the president said. (Watch the video).

“People give because they want to change lives – they want their lives to make a difference. The people who gave of their time and resources to make this campaign successful, during some tough economic times, will indeed make a difference,” he said.

Some of the campaign achievements are increasing the university's endowment by $73 million, increasing annual giving for academic programs and providing funding for new or renovation and expansion of athletic facilities.

The university decided to extend the campaign, with the new goal of $1 billion, to continue to support and meet the needs of students, faculty and staff; help fund the Clemson 2020 Road Map; and assist the group of committed volunteers who want to lead.

Trustee Smyth McKissick of Greenville, a 1979 Clemson graduate and president of Alice Manufacturing Company Inc., chaired the national campaign committee through the public phase that began two years ago and will continue in that role.

“The goals of this campaign go to the very core of what makes Clemson Clemson: students and faculty, intellectual development and economic development,” said McKissick. “I’m proud to say that more than 100 volunteers have worked to help Clemson exceed its goal. Now we want to continue and involve everyone in building Clemson’s future. With our determined spirit, we can reach our new goal.”

Brian O’Rourke, the university’s executive director of development and alumni, said, “Clemson has been very fortunate to have had outstanding leadership, both at the university and from volunteers, along with the loyal support of our alumni, friends, corporations and parents who decided to invest in Clemson to make it the best university it can be.”